direct to your inbox"The end of an era."That's how one industry insider described the news that Canadian pension fund CPPIB is now the new owner of the Trafford Centre.When it opened in September 1998, the vast shopping centre was the realisation of a dream long-held by one man.
John Whittaker.The Bury businessman spent 15 years making it happen and in many ways it was his personal shrine, from the Romanesque architecture and statues, to the parking of his beloved mother's Mercedes car outside F.Hinds jewellers on the first floor.But as of this week, the development is firmly out of Mr Whittaker's control.CPPIB, headquartered in Toronto, is one of the largest retirement funds in the world.The chairperson is Dr Heather Munroe-Blum, a.